Writers' Opportunities, Courses & Events
Writers’ Workshops
Sherman Cymru run short courses, masterclasses and workshops throughout the year for emerging and experienced writers alike. These are designed to provide diverse opportunities for writers, to develop their craft and knowledge, each focused on a key area of writing.
Our most recent course, The Writer as Adaptor, was led by Shared Experience Co-artistic Director, Polly Teale.
We also collaborate with other companies and institutions to create theatre events. During 2008, these have included facilitating the Royal Court’s new writers’ initiative, 24º and hosting a Writers’ Guild forum on Political Theatre.
Script Study
(In collaboration with Living Pictures Productions)
Script Study allows professional writers, actors and directors to gather to analyse text hosted by a literary expert or director. Preparation for each session entails reading 3/4 plays linked thematically but straddling different eras. Scenes chosen for discussion are presented by actors and directors in order to illustrate the host’s ideas and viewpoint.
Past sessions’ hosts include writer and lecturer Steve Waters, lecturer and dramaturg Bill Hopkinson, and directors Ian Rickson and Katie Mitchell.
Specialist Workshops
When possible, members of the Creative Team lead specialist workshops for particular projects or other organisations.
During the autumn of 2008, members of The Literary Team held four days of workshops with asylum seekers, refugees and local authors. These workshops provided the basis for the pieces shown in the Community Engagement New Arrivals project.
Members of The Creative Team also provided script writing workshops during 2008, especially tailored for final-year students at Trinity College, Carmarthen.
Writers’ Events
ScriptSlam
This is a seasonal competitive event, where first-time writers have short pieces performed script-in-hand and assessed by leading theatre practitioners and the audience as part of an informal and upbeat evening.
For more information, go to ScriptSlam
Writers’ Nights
For each Sherman Cymru production there is a designated Writers’ Night for which writers on our database will be eligible for discounted tickets and a chance to chat informally about the play afterwards. When possible we will ally this to a wider discussion with a guest speaker.
For further information about our writing courses and events please contact Sian Summers, Literary Manager, or Branwen Davies, Literary Assistant.
Writers’ Courses Outside Sherman
Tŷ Newydd - National Writer's Centre for Wales
Gilly Adams and Charles Way - August 2-7 2010
Designed for writers who have some experience of writing for theatre or radio and who wish to deepen their understanding and practice.
This will be an intensive writing week with opportunities to create new work as well as develop existing scripts. Professional actors will be involved with the process at the end of the week so that writers can hear their scripts read.
Fee: £525 (single room) £450 (shared room)
For further details: www.tynewydd.org
New Playwriting Course: The Habit of Art
Tŷ Newydd in partnership with the National Theatre (UK) and Venue Cymru
ONLY 9 PLACES AVAILABLE FOR THIS VERY SPECIAL COURSE
Welsh writers are invited to join a new play writing project, run in conjunction with the National Theatre tour of Alan Bennett’s new play The Habit of Art.
Artists from the National Theatre, London will work with you for an online feedback session, a residential weekend and a rehearsal day to help you to write a 10 minute piece of theatre. The pieces will be rehearsed for a read performance in front of an invited audience at Venue Cymru during the run of The Habit of Art.
To apply: Please send a 10 minute (approximately) script to Artscripts@nationaltheatre.org.uk before 6pm on 8th August with your name address and contact details. The piece must be a scene of a meeting of two people, they can be imagined, real, from history, contemporary, famous or not. You will be able to use a cast of 3 actors for the rehearsed reading.
For further details: www.tynewydd.org
